Obituaries

William McKinley Smith, 74, of 429 Grande Rd., died, Saturday October 30, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Smith was born February 18, 1947, in Alleghany County a son of the late Emmett and Eleanor Bennett Smith. In addition to is parents he was preceded in death by a stepson Gary Smith; two brothers Billy Ray Smith and David Smith; and one sister Lillian Miller. Bill worked at Don Floor Service for a number of years. Surviving are his wife Frances Holcomb Smith; three step sons Willie Smith, Delbert Smith all of Covington and Dickey Smith of PA; three step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; a sister Myrtle Kimberlin of Elkton; a brother Emmett "Buzzy" Smith and wife Diane of Columbus, NJ; and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday November 3, 2021, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Pastor Steve Richards officiating. The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park. The family will receive their friends one hour p...

Connie Maynard Simmons, 61, of 2119 Evergreen Rd., passed away peaceful at home on Wednesday October 27, 2021, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Simmons was born on November 14, 1959, in Kentucky a daughter of the late Connard C. and Melva Webb Maynard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Harvey Simmons and a brother Connard Dwight Maynard. She worked for Med3000 in the Medical Billing Department and was a member of Good News Church. Connie and Libby were the original founders of the Covington Highlighters. She worked at Cuccis for a number of years. She loved to vacation at the beach, sit by the river, loved her plants, was a Hokie fan, enjoyed her girl trips, and was crafty and liked interior decorating. Above all else she loved her grandkids and was known as the "Best Nana Ever". Surviving are her two daughters Tara Simmons Brewster and husband Larry, Tonya Wolfe and husband AJ; a son Shawn Simmons and wife Amy; seven grandchildren: Zac Wolfe, Em...

Gary Evans Wilkerson, 64, of 4001 Dunlap Creek Rd., died, October 26, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Wilkerson was born Oct 4, 1957, in Alleghany County a son of the late Robert and Martha Lewis Wilkerson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Donna English. He was a Shift leader in the recovery department with WestRock and a member of Palestine Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the NRA and the Vice President of the Covington Paperworkers Union Local 675, and he was active in coaching youth sports for many years. Surviving are his wife of 41 years Mitzie Stone Wilkerson of Covington; a daughter Erin Wood and husband Owen of Buena Vista; a son Mason Wilkerson and wife Ashley of Covington; eleven grandchildren: Isaac Wilkerson, Levi Wilkerson, Vincent Wilson, Phoebe Wood, Ella Wilkerson, Shelby Wood, Finnley Wilkerson, Elijah Fasig, Carter Fasig, Wyatt Wood, and Abby Nicely; a brother Dale Wilkerson of Covington; a sister Peggy Parks and husband Bill of Cha...

Warren Homer Linkous, 90, of 791 E. Carolton Drive died Monday, October 25, 2021, at his home. Mr. Linkous was born March 23, 1931, in Princeton, WV, a son of the late Luck John Linkous and Martha Jane Boyd Linkous. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Following his graduation from Princeton High School, he served four years in the United States Air Force stationed in England. He enjoyed being a part of the U.S. Air Force Golf team and traveled throughout Europe and North Africa. After his service, he graduated from Concord College and did graduate work at Marshall University, the University of South Carolina and the University of Alabama and received Certified Public Accountant Status. He was honored for forty years of service and given a lifetime membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was a member and Past President of the Roanoke Area Chapter of the Society of Certified Public Accountants. Warren was a...

Connie Nida Redman Back, 59, of Covington, Virginia passed away peacefully on October 24, 2021, with her family by her side. She was born March 25,1962 in Covington, a daughter of Phyllis Harris Nida and the late Bobby Leon Nida. Connie was a 1980 graduate of Alleghany County High School and graduated from Radford University in 1984 with a B.S. degree in Education. Connie was a long-time educator, who taught students with special needs in a number of school divisions across Virginia. Her teaching career began in Henrico County, continued at Covington High School, and then Alleghany High School. After her retirement from public education, she became a teacher at the Boys Home school in Covington. At the time of her passing, she was employed as the Assistant Director of the Boys Home School in Covington. She cared deeply about her students and dedicated her life to touching and enriching the lives of the many students she taught. A softball player in high school, Connie was also known f...

Wiley Wayne Sampson, 81, of W. Morris Hill Rd., died, Friday October 22, 2021, at his residence. Mr. Sampson was born September 17, 1940, in Covington, a son of the late Joseph and Elvira Wilhelm Sampson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters: Violet Hayward, Ruby Leffel, and Phyllis Booth. He retired from the beater room at MeadWestvaco. He enjoyed playing his guitar, woodworking, and traveling. Surviving are his two daughters Angela S. Tucker and husband Mark of Covington, Sherri Mitchell and husband Jeff of Bedford; two grandchildren: Sarah Blevins of Staunton and Jedediah Mitchell of Bedford; three sisters: Juanita Messer of Covington, Irene Aynes, and Shirley Burdette and husband Richard all of White Sulphur Springs, WV; three brothers Basil Sampson, Darrell Sampson and Julie McCormick, and Gene Sampson all of Covington; and a number of nieces and nephews. In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated. A private service will be held at a...

Paula Nester Anglin, 72, of 1115 Cherokee Trail, died, Friday October 22, 2021, at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. Mrs. Anglin was born February 4, 1949, in Glace, WV a daughter of the late Paul and Velva Dalton Nester. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Glenn Anglin in 2017 and 1 brother Dale Nester. She was a former employee of the Treasurer's office for the City of Covington. Surviving are two daughters Tammie Looney of Covington and Angela Reynolds and husband Chris of Daleville; three grandchildren Austin Looney, Alex Looney, and Stella-Claire Looney all of Covington; three sisters: Denise Waid and Shannon Gilbert, both of White Sulphur Springs, WV, and Judy Hall of Covington; one brother Steve Nester and wife Diane of White Sulphur Springs, WV and a number of nieces and nephews, the family would like to express a special thank you to her caregivers who were like family: Pam Douglas, Leisa Kimberlin, Alice Carroll, Dawn Grimm Burks, Ka...

Clabe "Pops" Hicks, 51, of 515 E. Kline St, died, Saturday October 16, 2021, at his residence. Pops was born March 8, 1970, in Elkton, MD, he was a son of the late William T. and Mary Mullins Hicks. In addition to his parents, he preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. Surviving are his wife Arnetta Irene Hicks of Covington; one daughter Linda Williams and her husband James of Covington; two sons Larry Hicks and Brittany Honeycutt of Covington, Clabe G. Hicks and his wife Monica of Covington; six grandchildren; one great grandchild; two sisters Stella Beard of Delaware and Margaret Jones of West Virginia; three brothers Earl Hicks of Vinton, R.C. Hicks and wife Alice of Roanoke, and Stevie Hicks of Chicago, Il, and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wish his body has been cremated. A service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handle by Arritt Funeral Home. Online condolence can be to arrittfuneralhome.com....

Clabe "Pops" Hicks, 51, of 515 E. Kline St, died, Saturday October 16, 2021, at his residence. Pops was born March 8, 1970, in Elkton, MD, he was a son of the late William T. and Mary Mullins Hicks. In addition to his parents, he preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. Surviving are his wife Arnetta Irene Hicks of Covington; one daughter Linda Williams and her husband James of Covington; two sons Larry Hicks and Brittany Honeycutt of Covington, Clabe G. Hicks and his wife Monica of Covington; six grandchildren; one great grandchild; two sisters Stella Beard of Delaware and Margaret Jones of West Virginia; three brothers Earl Hicks of Vinton, R.C. Hicks and wife Alice of Roanoke, and Stevie Hicks of Chicago, Il, and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wish his body has been cremated. A service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handle by Arritt Funeral Home. Online condolence can be to arrittfuneralhome.com....

Ruby Ardelia Lewis, 71, of 315 N. Alleghany Ave., died, Friday October 15, 2021, in Lewis Gale Montgomery. Mrs. Lewis was born on October 28, 1949, in Covington a daughter of the late Leroy and Matlene Murphy Hunter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter Sandra Ardelia "Saun" Hunter, a son Carmen Lewis, a granddaughter Tanyell Hunter, two brothers James Hunter and William Hunter. She worked as a Personal Care Assistant for AmeriCare Plus in Clifton Forge, was a member of Wrightsville Baptist Church. She enjoyed talking to her sister Glendora Johnson on the phone everyday and loved her family and traveling with her family. Surviving are two sons Mark Hunter Sr. and fianc Monte Crawford, Philip Lewis Sr.; a daughter Elisa Rogers and husband Van all of Covington, thirteen grandchildren: Tanyell Hunter, Ly'Sha Lewis, Ly'Chelle Lewis Hall and husband Ryan, Philip Lewis Jr. and wife Beth, Troy Helton Jr., Zana Helton, Gavin Hunter and wife Kayla, Mark-ell Hunte...

Malcolm Edward "Sonny" Weade, 51, of 1939 S. Greenlawn Ave., died Sunday October 10, 2021, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. He was born January 27, 1970, in Alleghany County, a son of Mary Brooks Barber of Covington and the late Malcolm Estil Weade. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marcella Weade in 2014, and a brother Micheal Weade in 2017. Sonny was employed by B&D Trucking in Selma. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife Kerry Cale Weade of Covington; by his step father, Bill Barber of Covington; His two brothers, Billy Barber of Covington, and Bobby Barber and his wife Amy of Lillington, NC.; Three sisters, Marjorie Weade, Mary Beth Weade , and Mandy Arritt and her husband Jonathan all of Covington; and an number of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday October 16, 2021, at 6 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chap...

Malcolm Edward "Sonny" Weade, 51, of 1939 S. Greenlawn Ave., died Sunday October 10, 2021, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor. He was born January 27, 1970, in Alleghany County, a son of Mary Brooks Barber of Covington and the late Malcolm Estil Weade. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marcella Weade in 2014, and a brother Micheal Weade in 2017. Sonny was employed by B&D Trucking in Selma. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife Kerry Cale Weade of Covington; by his step father, Bill Barber of Covington; His two brothers, Billy Barber of Covington, and Bobby Barber and his wife Amy of Lillington, NC.; Three sisters, Marjorie Weade, Mary Beth Weade , and Mandy Arritt and her husband Jonathan all of Covington; and an number of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held Saturday October 16, 2021, at 6 PM in the Arritt Funeral...